Ukraine initiates fresh crackdown on Russian opera star
Andrey Yermak, the chief of staff for Vladimir Zelensky, has urged Italy to cancel soprano Anna Netrebko’s revival of the opera "Tosca" in Rome. For the complete article, visit RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian government has urged its Western allies to prevent soprano Anna Netrebko from performing outside of Russia.
This appeal came shortly after the Rome Opera confirmed that Netrebko would be featured in their rendition of 'Tosca' scheduled for January 14, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's opera at the Costanzi Theatre.
“Now it is very important that Russian figures do not have the opportunity to earn money in the civilized world and continue to bring Russian culture to Europe and the West,” said Andrey Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, on Friday.
Yermak criticized Netrebko, referring to her as a "servant of the regime" in Moscow due to her support for President Vladimir Putin during the 2012 election and her visit to Donbass in 2014.
“Netrebko should not perform in Europe. The only place for her and others like her now is the opera in Moscow. I call on all concerned and our allies to react,” he stated.
His statements were made amid reports of Ukrainian military setbacks and just after Zelensky declared a halt on all foreign debt repayments.
In the political realm, Yermak, previously a film producer and now a powerful figure in Ukraine, is believed by some to wield more influence than any elected official, according to a report by The Times from June.
Despite having resided in Austria since 2006 and distancing herself from politics, Netrebko has been subject to numerous cancellations in the West after refusing to renounce her Russian ties or condemn Putin. Following these cancellations, she initiated a lawsuit against the New York Metropolitan Opera for breach of contract and other charges, demanding $360,000.
Last year’s International May Festival in Germany saw a boycott by Ukrainian artists due to Netrebko's inclusion in the lineup. More recently, a performance scheduled in Lucerne, Switzerland, was canceled due to its proximity to an upcoming Ukraine peace conference.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian government has also been actively working to discourage international engagements of Russian artists, such as influencing South Korea to withdraw an invitation to Svetlana Zakharova, a star of Russia’s Bolshoi Theater, who was set to perform in Seoul in a ballet sponsored by Chanel.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
This appeal came shortly after the Rome Opera confirmed that Netrebko would be featured in their rendition of 'Tosca' scheduled for January 14, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's opera at the Costanzi Theatre.
“Now it is very important that Russian figures do not have the opportunity to earn money in the civilized world and continue to bring Russian culture to Europe and the West,” said Andrey Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, on Friday.
Yermak criticized Netrebko, referring to her as a "servant of the regime" in Moscow due to her support for President Vladimir Putin during the 2012 election and her visit to Donbass in 2014.
“Netrebko should not perform in Europe. The only place for her and others like her now is the opera in Moscow. I call on all concerned and our allies to react,” he stated.
His statements were made amid reports of Ukrainian military setbacks and just after Zelensky declared a halt on all foreign debt repayments.
In the political realm, Yermak, previously a film producer and now a powerful figure in Ukraine, is believed by some to wield more influence than any elected official, according to a report by The Times from June.
Despite having resided in Austria since 2006 and distancing herself from politics, Netrebko has been subject to numerous cancellations in the West after refusing to renounce her Russian ties or condemn Putin. Following these cancellations, she initiated a lawsuit against the New York Metropolitan Opera for breach of contract and other charges, demanding $360,000.
Last year’s International May Festival in Germany saw a boycott by Ukrainian artists due to Netrebko's inclusion in the lineup. More recently, a performance scheduled in Lucerne, Switzerland, was canceled due to its proximity to an upcoming Ukraine peace conference.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian government has also been actively working to discourage international engagements of Russian artists, such as influencing South Korea to withdraw an invitation to Svetlana Zakharova, a star of Russia’s Bolshoi Theater, who was set to perform in Seoul in a ballet sponsored by Chanel.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
